Yosemite National Park has yearly closures for Peregrine Falcon Protection March 1- July 15. Always check the NPS website at nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… for the most current details and park alerts, and to learn more about the peregrine falcon, and how closures help it survive. This page also shares closures and warnings due to current fires, smoke, etc.
Description
Elephant Rock is a great shady destination similar to the Rostrum. The lower reaches are home to some great climbs such as Hotline, Pink Dream, and Fatal Mistake (all on the Worst Error Pinnacle), whereas the upper wall (the Killer Pillar -- approached via HW 41) has a few wild sport climbs. Fatal Mistake is the insanely good-looking splitter visible from the road, and commonly confused to be Hotline (also clearly visible from the road if one knows what to look for).
Getting There
Access from Hwy 140 or 41 depending on route of interest. See sub areas for details.
[Hide Photo] Me on the third pitch of Hotline. Arguably the best hand splitter in the valley. One of those high pitches on Sons is a contender, and so is the beginning of Stove Legs on the Nose.
[Hide Photo] The major routes on the east side of Elephant Rock. Note: I mistakenly typed "3rd class to west side of rock" but the traverse from Crack of Doom is actually 4th class or maybe easy 5th. Definit…
[Hide Photo] Crack of Doom and Crack of Despair as seen from the approach.
[Hide Photo] The Worst Error-Elephant Rock. Photo by Blitzo.
[Hide Photo] Approaches for Elephant's Graveyard and Killer Pillar, from highway 41 [corrected]
[Hide Comment] You can do this approach the base of Elephant Rock from Hw.41 any time of the year. It is harder, longer, but you do not need to wait low water in Merced river.
Dec 4, 2009
[Hide Comment] Additional info for getting to the killer pillar-- the comments are correct for how to get from the parking area to the summit of elephant rock. However, it can be confusing to find the killer pillar from there.
The following picture is super useful in showing where to go:
Access Issue: Latest updates on closures, permits, and regulations.
Details
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![[[107808764]] and [[107763401]] as seen from the approach.](https://mountainproject.com/assets/photos/climb/107841629_medium_1494214886.jpg?cache=1574805291)
![Approaches for Elephant's Graveyard and Killer Pillar, from highway 41 [corrected]](https://mountainproject.com/assets/photos/climb/118655483_medium_1584312948.jpg?cache=1630368867)
San Jose
The following picture is super useful in showing where to go:
mountainproject.com/v/11112… Apr 5, 2017